Youth Advisory Board

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The IDFY Youth Advisory Board is made up of six Idaho Drug Free Youth members who represent each region of Idaho. YAB members play a valuable role in the IDFY program. Throughout their one-year term, YAB members are called upon to advise the IDFY Staff and Board of Directors on various aspects of the program, including but not limited to the IDFY Leadership Retreat, the annual giving campaign, and the Idaho Youth Summit.
The Youth Advisory Board members were selected from a large pool of applicants and were chosen based on their commitment to the Idaho Drug Free Youth program, desire to promote substance-use prevention, and ability to work with other youth and adults for a common purpose. Each member will commit approximately 5-10 hours a month to the board and participate in 2 face-to-face meetings during their year of service, the Youth Advisory Board Orientation Retreat and the IDFY Leadership Retreat.
Applications are available in June of each year and accepted until July 29th.

Alicia Lockwood
School: Idaho Distance Education Academy
Grade: Senior
Alicia Lockwood is a senior who attends the Idaho Distance Education Academy. Alicia has been involved with IDFY since 2008 and is a member of her Chapter Leadership Team. In addition to IDFY, Alicia participates in STAND (Support Teens Against Nicotine Dependency) and TATU (Teens Againts Tobacco Use). She has also attended the Idaho Youth Summit the past two years. Alicia is passionate about music and helping others.
Jessica Peterson
School: Deary High School
Grade: Senior
Jessica Peterson, a senior at Deary High School, has been involved with Idaho Drug Free Youth and the Idaho Youth Summit since 2010. She serves in the Support Role on her Chapter Leadership Team. Jessica enjoys Cheerleading, Tennis, Volleyball, Choir, and photography. If Jessica were a mad scientist, she would develop a ray gun that would create open-mindedness and understanding.
Matt Youngberg
School: Payette High School
Grade: Senior
Matt Youngberg, a senior, is serving on the Youth Advisory Board from Payette, ID. Matt has been involved with IDFY since 2005 and has actively participated in his Chapter, Leadership Retreats, and the Idaho Youth Summit as both participant and volunteer staff. Matt has also participated in several awareness activities including IDFY’s “don’t be a dummy” campaign. Matt also enjoys wrestling, long-distance running, DECA, FCCLA, Boy Scouts, ASB, and music.
Courtney Bennett
School: Rimrock High School
Grade: Senior
Courtney Bennett, a senior IDFY member at Rimrock High School, has been involved in her Chapter for the past five years. She currently serves on her Chapter Leadership Team and has attended the Idaho Youth Summit since 2008. Courtney is also invovled in FCCLA, Drama, Band, FFA, Student Council, and Honor Society. Courtney loves 4H and working with animals and hopes to someday use that passion to become a veterinarian.
Miriam Damasco
School: Glenns Ferry High School
Grade: Senior
Miriam Damasco, a senior, attends Glenns Ferry High School. Miriam has attended several IDFY Leadership Retreats and the Idaho Youth Summit since 2010. She serves on her Chapter Leadership Team. Miriam is actively involved in FHLA, Pencils for Pilots, after-school programs, and the Glenns Ferry Revitalization Committee. Miriam has a strong voice for drug and alcohol prevention in her community and wants to provide hope for people who are in need.
Zach Dolenar
School: Wood River High School
Grade: Senior
Zach Dolenar is a senior at Wood River High School in Hailey, ID. He is a member of IDFY, TAC, and the Information Technology Program, Band. Zach also volunteers for several organizations including the Special Olympics, the Sun Valley Summer Sympphony, and the Ketchum Parks and Recreation Department. Zach is passionate about the arts and enjoys spreading that passion to others.
Questions about the YAB? E-mail us at idfy@idahodrugfreeyouth.org.
YAB was…indescribeable. Absolutely worth ALL efforts put forth. I love you YABBER’S!!! We’ll always have the memory of being the first ever Youth Advisory Board!!! Great memories were had and incredible connections were made…thank you all. I’ll always remember our experience together…thanks for everything. YABBA DABBA DOOO!!!!
HAVE A YABTASTIC LIFE!!! TURN IT UP!!!!
~Dream It. Live It. Love It.
by Andrew Charles - Y.A.B. 2009-2010
on 19. Jun, 2010
You guys were fenomenal!! I really enjoyed meeting you all…AJ you are awesome!! I couldn’t wish for a better leader!!
by Miriam Damasco
on 21. Jun, 2010
I love YAB and I cant wait to apply to be a Yabber in a year! Just one more year! I cant wait
by Allie the Alligator (:
on 07. Sep, 2010
I can’t wait to meet my YAB!!! 2 weeks! I am so excited!!!!
by Samira
on 01. Oct, 2010
Congrats to the new YABBER’s!!! I already know you guys will be great! This will be one of the most amazing things you will ever be apart of!!! Can’t wait to see and hear about all the amazing things you guys are going to do!
by Zack Hall
on 03. Oct, 2010
WAIT!I still dont know who the New Yabbers are! Rio, Samira? Who else? I need to know these things!! haha
by Allie the Alligator(:
on 07. Oct, 2010
Holly shnap. I hope I can go to summit again and become STAF or YAB! maybe someday.
LOVES YTO
by Sage Eliza
on 28. Oct, 2010
you people have done so much for iDFY and the people around you, whether you hear it or not, we teens do appreciate it. We couldn’t ask for a better 2010-2011 YAB! Thank you all so much. Can’t wait to see you in June!! <3
by Jessica Peterson
on 04. May, 2011
I’m SO excited to be apart of this years YAB!!!!!!!!!!! I can’t wait for the orientation!!!!
Woo-hoo!!! It’s great to be drug and alcohol free! ;D
by Courtney Bennett
on 13. Sep, 2011
Y.A.B has been one of the greatest blessings in my life. It is so amazing and you learn so much! I got so attached to the other yabbers and Kelsey, Kristi, Greg, Monte, etc. There are just so many people!! Thanks for the support & love that you have provided me with. I am definitely planning to take those skills and apply them to every situation that I encounter in life. I love you all, and good luck to all of the 2012-2013 YAB applicants! =)
by Miriam Damasco
on 20. Mar, 2012